We are proud to share that his Holiness Pope Francis has appointed a Son of our Soil, Father Joseph Kallarackal as bishop of Jaipur, in an announcement from the Vatican on April 22, 2023.
His appointment followed the resignation of Most Rev. Oswald Lewis (78) Bishop of Jaipur from the pastoral care of the diocese. Prior to his current appointment Father Kallarackal has served the Church in several roles including parish priest, rector of seminaries, and manager and principal of several schools.
Father Joseph Kallarackal (aged 59) the Bishop designate was born on 10th December 1964, at Anavilasam, a village of Idukki district in Kerala in an agriculturist’s family to Joseph and Tresiyamma. His younger brother Dr Mathew is also a priest. His sister Jess Maria and his niece Tess Mathew have also dedicated their life to Christ.
Father Joseph Kallarackal yearned to become a servant of God even from his childhood. Having had his early education in Idukki District, Father Joseph Kallarackal studied Philosophy and Theology at St. Joseph’s Regional Seminary, in the Diocese of Allahabad from 1989 to 1997. Father Joseph has obtained a Bachelor of Arts from the Allahabad University, Allahabad. He also has a Master of Arts in Political Science from MDS University, Ajmer as well as a Bachelor of Education degree from Ponda, GVMS, Goa.
Father Kallarackal was ordained priest on 2 January 1997 for the Diocese of Ajmer. After his ordination, he was Vice-Rector of St. Theresa’s Minor Seminary, Ajmer from 1997 to 2000. He was Parish Priest and Manager, St. Anselm’s School, Nagaur from 2000 to 2003.
Father Joseph Kallarackal then did his Bachelor of Education degree in Goa from 2003 to 2004. He was later appointed Dean and Parish Priest at St. Teresa’s Church, Jodphur and served there from 2004 to 2007. He then became the Rector of the Minor Seminary, Ajmer where he continued from 2007 to 2013. He was appointed Parish Priest, Principal and Manager at St. Paul’s School, Falna and worked there from 2013 to 2015 after which he served in a similar designation at St. Paul’s School, Pali from 2015 to 2016. He was also Rector of St. Theresa‘s Minor Seminary, Ajmer from 2016 to 2021. He is currently the Dean and Parish Priest of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Ajmer.
The diocese of Jaipur was created on 20th July 2005, by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI after restructuring the existing Ajmer-Jaipur diocese. Headquartered in Jaipur the capital of Rajasthan state, the diocese consists of 12 districts of Rajasthan.
We at “Kumily Calling” would like to congratulate Bishop Joseph Kallarackal and wish him all success in his new role.
